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How to clean carpet stains, with and without a carpet cleaning machine

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How to clean carpet stains, with and without a carpet cleaning machine

However effective your vacuum cleaner, there will always be those unfortunate spills and baked-in stains that need closer attention. I run a commercial cleaning business and rely on a homemade paste to remove the most stubborn marks from my carpets (and deploy it after any accidents). It’s inexpensive and you will probably have the ingredients in your cupboards already.

It won’t achieve a deep clean, though. If you’re looking to tackle bigger areas and own – or can hire – a carpet cleaner, I also have some fail-safe advice to ensure a pristine finish.

Spot clean stains with a homemade paste

For small stains, this quick concoction is all you need. Simply mix the following ingredients together slowly until they form a paste:

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  • Half a cup bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 tbsp mild washing up liquid
  • 1-2 tbsp of warm water

Avoid brightly coloured washing up liquids, especially if you have lighter-coloured carpets, as the dye may transfer onto the fibres. Before you start, there’s one step that applies to any carpet cleaning; always test your cleaning solution (homemade or otherwise) on a small, hidden area of flooring to check for colour-fastness and compatibility.

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Mercedes driver freed after car flips in crash in Yorkshire

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Firefighters were called to the collision in the village of Scrayingham, north of Stamford Bridge, at about 11.10pm on Saturday (August 8).

A Mercedes overturned after the crash in Lowfield Lane, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

The fire service said the driver was unharmed but had been left “trapped” by their seatbelt.

Firefighters released the seatbelt which allowed the driver to exit the vehicle, the service said.

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Jessie Cave claims she was left in tears after being fat shamed by a Harry Potter costume designer after gaining weight

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Harry Potter star Jessie Cave has claimed she was left in tears on the set of the blockbuster movies when she was fat-shamed by a costume designer (Jessie pictured in the 2009 film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with Rupert Grint)

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Harry Potter star Jessie Cave has claimed she was left in tears on the set of the blockbuster movies when she was fat-shamed by a costume designer.

Jessie was 20-years-old when she was cast as Lavender Brown in the magical movies, playing the character for three movies. 

But two decades on, Jessie explained she has some traumatic memories of the movies which propelled her to fame.

Speaking on the RESET the Pod podcast with Alice Maria, Jessie said a costume designer shamed her during filming after she put on weight.

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‘The costume designer came up to me, gripped the fat on my hips and said, “What is this?” She gripped it so hard it left me in pain. I just had to say, “That’s my body,”‘ said the actress. 

Jessie also claims she was told to ‘suck in’ immediately before filming a Great Hall scene:

Harry Potter star Jessie Cave has claimed she was left in tears on the set of the blockbuster movies when she was fat-shamed by a costume designer (Jessie pictured in the 2009 film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with Rupert Grint) 

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‘She whispered in my ear, “Suck in, suck in.” I immediately started crying.’

‘The camera was behind me at first, but when it reached my face, you can see in the film that I’ve got tears in my eyes.’

After returning for the final film two stone heavier, Jessie says she was ‘treated like I was invisible.’

‘I’d gone in as the exciting love interest, then came back two stone heavier and felt like a complete nobody. It was 100% because of my weight.’

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Jessie said her experiences have made her wary of HBO’s Harry Potter reboot TV series, which is currently filming, with the first episodes premiering at Christmas. 

Mum of four Jessie insisted ‘I would not wish that on my kids. I wouldn’t want them to face that scrutiny. You’re signing them up for a job where there can be a lot of cruelty—it hardens you.’

More recently the actress and writer has turned to OnlyFans to support her family after facing rejection at acting auditions. 

Jessie posts non-sexual, niche hair content aimed at people with a hair fetish, explaining: ‘I needed to think of something quickly to make money, or we weren’t going to be able to afford our rent.’

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After returning for the final film two stone heavier, Jessie says she was 'treated like I was invisible' (pictured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2010)

After returning for the final film two stone heavier, Jessie says she was ‘treated like I was invisible’ (pictured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2010)

More recently the actress and writer has turned to OnlyFans to support her family after facing rejection at acting auditions. Jessie posts non-sexual, niche hair content

More recently the actress and writer has turned to OnlyFans to support her family after facing rejection at acting auditions. Jessie posts non-sexual, niche hair content

‘OnlyFans was life-changing from the second I started.’

Jessie is now a top 1% creator, but says there is still confusion over what type of content she shares. 

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‘People think I’m doing hardcore porn,’ she admitted. ‘There was a clear divide between the true hair fetishists and those looking for “Harry Potter actress does porn.”‘

She describes OnlyFans as her ‘rehabilitation’ from burnout and says she now sees it as a long-term career:

‘After years of being told I wasn’t good enough, thin enough or pretty enough, it’s thrilling to be in control for a change.’

Back in April Jessie announced her engagement to longterm partner Alfie Brown.

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The couple, who are parents to sons Donnie, 11, Abraham, five, Becker, three, as well as nine-year-old daughter Margot, took to Instagram with a loved-up post. 

Jessie proudly showed off her dazzling diamond engagement ring after accepting Alfie’s proposal. 

She captioned the post:  ’12 years and 4 kids later… it’s getting serious’.

Fans and famous friends were quick to share their congratulations with fellow actress Ophelia Lovibond gushing: ‘Yay!!! Congratulations Jessie’.

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Mystery deepens over disappearance of Jack O’Sullivan after new report dismisses leading theory

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Mystery deepens over disappearance of Jack O’Sullivan after new report dismisses leading theory

A leading expert on Bristol’s waterways has cast doubt on a leading police theory in the two-and-a-half-year investigation into the disappearance of Jack O’Sullivan.

For the past year, former harbour master Mike Ferguson has thoroughly reviewed the police’s long-held suspicion that Jack, then 22, fell into the River Avon after walking home from a night out with friends on 2 March 2024.

Since Jack disappeared, much of the investigation has centred on that possibility, but according to Mr Ferguson, the evidence says that conclusion is not possible.

In a detailed and independent report, Mr Ferguson evaluated tidal information and water temperatures of the night he went missing, as well as the extensive police search of the river that took place after Jack disappeared.

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Jack O’Sullivan, left, went missing in March 2024
Jack O’Sullivan, left, went missing in March 2024 (Catherine O’Sullivan)

Mr Ferguson, who has previously lent his expertise to police on missing person investigations, concluded it would have been “remarkable” if Jack wasn’t found during the search.

If Jack had fallen in, his body would have been caught in one of the catchment points where other bodies have previously been found, he added.

Police suspected he may have fallen into the river, as one of the last sightings of him on CCTV was near the water in the area of Brunel Lock Road and Brunel Way.

“The search that the police did was absolutely incredible,” Mr Ferguson said. “It was accurate; they searched at the right times in the right places. The assistant chief constable at the time described it as the biggest water search ever undertaken; I would agree with that.

“They were using masses of resources, and they would have found him.”

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Mike Ferguson says it would have been ‘remarkable’ if Jack wasn’t found during the search, if he had gone into the water
Mike Ferguson says it would have been ‘remarkable’ if Jack wasn’t found during the search, if he had gone into the water (Mike Ferguson/Supplied)

The Independent set out last November to raise the vital funds needed to spread awareness of children who have gone missing and create SafeCall, a free and confidential support service designed to keep young people safe.

Thanks to the support of our readers and the backing of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, former footballer Sir David Beckham, the mother of missing Madeleine, Kate McCann, and many others, the helpline was launched in January after an incredible £165,000 was raised.

Jack’s mother, Catherine, believes Mr Ferguson’s findings give fresh hope over her son’s case, but claims the report was “totally dismissed” by police when she brought it forward to them.

“This is evidence, and if nothing else, [police] should be focusing their minds on something else [that could have happened],” she told The Independent.

Police said the information had been fed into its enquiries.

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Catherine O’Sullivan is determined to find out what happened to her son
Catherine O’Sullivan is determined to find out what happened to her son (Missing People)

Ms O’Sullivan remains determined to find out what happened to her son, and feels this could be key. She “doesn’t doubt that for a minute” that she could have answers if other theories had been more thoroughly investigated.

“We’re living in a horrific day-to-day life because we have no idea what has happened,” she added.

She has always been sceptical about the theory that Jack fell into the water, and believes he got into a car instead.

“I feel that Jack’s got into a vehicle… We know that’s what his intention was because we see him approach a vehicle,” Ms O’Sullivan said. “We see him trying to get a taxi. His last message said he was getting a taxi.”

Ms O’Sullivan said she feels let down by Avon and Somerset Police’s response to the disappearance of her son, which is now being reviewed by the College of Policing.

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“We were told lessons would be learned, and, as I said to them, I’m really not interested in Jack being a lesson,” she said.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: “We wholeheartedly recognise the devastating impact Jack’s disappearance continues to have on his loved ones.

“We know how difficult it is for his family that, despite extensive enquiries, we’ve not yet been able to find him, or provide the conclusive answers they so desperately need.

Jack went missing after walking home from a night out with friends
Jack went missing after walking home from a night out with friends (Catherine O’Sullivan)

“From the outset we’ve always had a shared aim of finding Jack and this intention has been at the heart of every action we’ve taken and decision we’ve made.

“Alongside our ongoing investigation, we’ve also drawn on specialist expertise and independent agencies to review, test and assure our work, ensuring that any further opportunities are fully explored. At every stage we’ve been led by the evidence and have pursued the relevant lines of enquiry.”

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A spokesperson from the Missing People charity said: “Our hearts are with Catherine and her family. No family should have to live with the uncertainty of not knowing what has happened to someone they love. The not knowing can be one of the most painful and enduring experiences imaginable.

“At Missing People, we will continue to stand alongside Catherine and her family for as long as they need us. Whether that’s providing emotional support, helping keep Jack’s story in the public eye, or simply being there to listen, we remain committed to helping them find the answers they deserve.

“If anyone has any information about Jack, no matter how small it may seem, or believes they may have seen him, we urge them to contact Missing People on 116 000 or visit the web to share a sighting.”

Please donate now to The Independent and Missing People’s SafeCall campaign, which has raised £165,000 to create a free, nationwide service helping vulnerable children find safety and support.

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For advice, support and options if you or a child you love goes missing, contact safecall.org.uk

The O’Sullivan family has set up a website, offering a £100,000 reward for anyone who has information on his disappearance.

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Wildfire spreads in Indonesia’s Mount Bromo

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Wildfire spreads in Indonesia's Mount Bromo

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia sent airplanes and hundreds of firefighters on Sunday to fight a blaze in a popular national park, one of a growing number of wildfires the country is battling during an unusually dry season.

The largest fire reported this week has burned about 176 hectares (435 acres) of Mount Bromo, located within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java province, one of Indonesia’s best-known tourist destinations.

Authorities closed the park to visitors Saturday and Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, the park chief, said the shutdown would remain in effect until further notice.

Hundreds of firefighters, disaster management personnel, police, soldiers, park rangers and volunteers have been mobilized to contain the blaze. Helicopters and drones have also been deployed to help battle the fire, while crews have built firebreaks to try to prevent further spread.

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Nugraha said difficult terrain has complicated efforts, with some hotspots located on steep volcanic slopes that are difficult to reach by land.

The Bromo fire comes as several other wildfires have been reported across Indonesia during an unusually dry season.

A forest and land fire broke out in Central Java’s Banyumas Regency on Friday, authorities said. That fire was triggered by land-clearing activities and spread rapidly to surrounding areas, fueled by dry conditions. In West Java, a fire broke out this week in the Suryakencana Meadow area of Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, a popular hiking destination. The incident prompted authorities to temporarily close hiking trails to Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango.

Indonesia’s Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency said strong winds and extremely dry vegetation are accelerating the spread of fires. The El Niño weather pattern, combined with seasonal dry winds from Australia, has increased the risk of fires across parts of the country.

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Forest fires on Sumatra and Borneo islands often break out during dry spells. Fires are often started illegally by plantation owners or traditional farmers to clear land for planting, and those burns periodically blanket parts of Southeast Asia in hazardous haze.

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Lily Allen headlines Boardmasters Festival in a satin corset and lace underwear as she brings her her West End Girl show to Cornwall

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Lily Allen stripped down to her underwear as she headlined Boardmasters Festival with her West End Girl show in Newquay on Saturday

Lily Allen stripped down to her underwear as she headlined Boardmasters Festival with her West End Girl show in Newquay on Saturday.

The singer, 41, had a huge musical comeback last year with her album West End Girl, which detailed her tumultuous split from husband David Harbour, and allegations he cheated on her. 

And Lily pulled out all the stops as she took to the stage to perform the break-up album in full. 

Dressed in a gold ruched dress, Lily later stripped it off to reveal a nude satin corset bodysuit and black lace underwear. 

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She later donned a sheer pink gown as she lay on a bed. 

West End Girl is a 55-minute performance which is structured more like a one-woman stage play rather than a traditional concert. It features no crowd interaction or encores. 

Lily Allen stripped down to her underwear as she headlined Boardmasters Festival with her West End Girl show in Newquay on Saturday

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The singer, 41, had a huge musical comeback last year with her album West End Girl, which detailed her tumultuous split from husband David Harbour, and allegations he cheated on her

The singer, 41, had a huge musical comeback last year with her album West End Girl, which detailed her tumultuous split from husband David Harbour, and allegations he cheated on her

Boardmasters Festival is the UK’s biggest combined surf and music festival and welcomes 46,000 attendees across two coastal sites. 

It features around 90 artists playing across multiple stages with Saturday also featuring Nia Archives, Ren, Alessi Rose and Example. 

It comes as Lily is set to star in a new Prime Video documentary charting her ‘extraordinary’ rise to fame.

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The singer has had a triumphant return to the music scene with her comeback album West End Girl, and will now appear in the feature-length film looking back at her life.

The retrospective documentary will chart Lily’s journey, from the “Queen of MySpace” who changed the rules of the music industry, to the cultural force she is today. 

As a pioneering woman in modern music, Lily’s sharp wit and candid storytelling directly paved the way for a generation of today’s biggest female artists.

Featuring interviews with those who know her best, the documentary builds a rich and revealing portrait of an artist defined by her creative fearlessness. 

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The documentary will be directed by award-winning film-maker Mat Whitecross, who previously directed Oasis: Supersonic and Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams, and will be released on Prime Video in 2027.

Lily pulled out all the stops as she took to the stage to perform the break-up album in full

Lily pulled out all the stops as she took to the stage to perform the break-up album in full

West End Girl is a 55-minute performance which is structured more like a one-woman stage play rather than a traditional concert. It features no crowd interaction or encores

West End Girl is a 55-minute performance which is structured more like a one-woman stage play rather than a traditional concert. It features no crowd interaction or encores

Dressed in a gold ruched dress, Lily later stripped it off to reveal a nude satin corset bodysuit and black lace underwear

Dressed in a gold ruched dress, Lily later stripped it off to reveal a nude satin corset bodysuit and black lace underwear

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It comes as Lily is set to star in a new Prime Video documentary charting her 'extraordinary' rise to fame

It comes as Lily is set to star in a new Prime Video documentary charting her ‘extraordinary’ rise to fame

Lily appeared overwhelmed with the response from the crowd

Lily appeared overwhelmed with the response from the crowd

At one point she took a phone call during the play

At one point she took a phone call during the play 

Boardmasters Festival is the UK's biggest combined surf and music festival and welcomes over 50,000 attendees across two coastal sites

Boardmasters Festival is the UK’s biggest combined surf and music festival and welcomes over 50,000 attendees across two coastal sites

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Earlier this year, the Smile hitmaker opened up about the toll her tumultuous last year has taken on her daughters as she admitted they are struggling to readjust following the family’s relocation to the UK.

The star revealed that Ethel and Marnie are finding it difficult to navigate changes after moving from New York back to the UK.

Lily, who released her West End Girl album that detailed ex David Harbour’s alleged affair whilst they were together, returned home after the breakdown of her marriage to the 51-year-old.

Speaking candidly on her podcast Miss Me? Lily said: ‘I’ve done quite a lot this year.

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‘I’ve finished an album, I got a boob job, I had a nervous breakdown, I went into hospital for a bit, I came out, I did some podcasting for a while, then I played one of the hardest tracks in theatre and killed myself [in the role of Hedda Gabler] every night for seven weeks.’

She continued: ‘My kids are f***ing mental at the moment… They are really developing their personalities. It’s just a lot. There’s a lot of questions.

‘There’s a lot of change in our lives at the moment. We’ve changed houses, we’ve changed countries, we’ve changed schools, and it’s a lot.’

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Wes Streeting Says Andy Burnham Might Not Be PM If Resigned

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Wes Streeting Says Andy Burnham Might Not Be PM If Resigned

Andy Burnham would “probably” not be prime minister if Wes Streeting had not resigned from the cabinet, the defence secretary has claimed.

Streeting said his decision to quit as health secretary in May had “forced” other ministers to speak out against Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, he said he had given up his own plan to run for the Labour leadership after realising that there weren’t enough “fundamental differences” between him and Burnham.

Streeting quit Starmer’s cabinet in the wake of the May 7 elections, which saw Labour thrashed in England, Wales and Scotland.

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In a ferocious resignation letter, he said he had “lost confidence” in the then prime minister’s leadership.

He said: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism.

“It needs to be broad, and it needs the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope that you will facilitate this.”

Despite repeatedly insisting that he had enough support to enter the leadership race, Streeting announced he would not run in the wake of Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election in June.

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Asked whether he thought Burnham would be PM if he had not resigned as health secretary, Streeting said: “Probably not.”

He added: “What I think my resignation did that week was force choices for others.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Streeting also revealed he has received an “unbelievable volume” of homophobic abuse online since becoming defence secretary.

He said it was clear that many people online “cannot cope with the idea” of a gay man in the role.

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Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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The Shark FlexStyle Kept My Hair Festival-Ready For Three Days

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The Shark FlexStyle Kept My Hair Festival-Ready For Three Days

One of my biggest concerns ahead of venturing to a music festival which involved camping in the Scottish Highlands was undoubtedly: how am I going to keep my hair looking good for three days?

I know, nice hair and camping in a field don’t exactly go hand-in-hand, but my hair is my thing and I take pride in it looking nice – no matter the conditions.

Anyone who knows even the tiniest bit about Scotland knows that the weather is, to say the least, unpredictable. So, when I saw that heavy rain was forecast for the entire three days, I was concerned about what that meant for my locks.

I have naturally thick, frizzy, wavy hair and I needed to think of a good solution. I’ll admit, I went down a TikTok rabbit hole and thought of everything. I considered heatless curlers, rollers, even looked at portable straighteners at one point. Then I realised I had just the tool in my arsenal to make this problem disappear.

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I recently acquired a Shark FlexStyle and as a longtime Dyson lover, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. But it promises amazing blowouts and, more importantly, long-lasting styles. Could it provide me with a festival-proof look?

The morning I was leaving, I decided to really put my back into it and give myself a full blowout.

The first thing I realised was just how powerful the blowdryer was. I was blown away (quite literally), as it dried my hair in seven minutes.

I found the curling attachment easy to use, but it did require me to take smaller sections than I usually would, which was a bit time-consuming. That said, I was still very impressed with the results. It achieved a salon-finish, albeit from the comfort of my parent’s spare room.

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The blowout stayed put despite assembling a tent in windy conditions.
The blowout stayed put despite assembling a tent in windy conditions.

The blowout survived the first day of dancing, drinking and inclement weather.

For sleeping, I put my hair in a loose, low bun and put some serum in it to try and keep the style in place. The inside of the tent was warm and I was unsure how everything would hold up. But – thank the festival gods – when I woke up on the second morning, the style had stayed in place.

I had assumed that by day two I’d need to put my hair up or hide it under a hat, but I didn’t need to at all. In fact, it somehow looked even better…

It held up so well.

And by day three, with the help of a little dry shampoo, it was still going strong. No updos were needed. Great times were had by all.

By day three, my hair still looked fresh.
By day three, my hair still looked fresh.

What’s the verdict?

I would 100% recommend this styler – I was amazed by how long-lasting my blowout was. I’ve always struggled with getting my hair to hold styles, but this could not have been further from the case with the Shark FlexStyle.

I put it to to the ultimate test – wet and windy weather in a Scottish field for three days – and it passed with flying colours.

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If it can keep my hair looking fresh at a music festival, then it can do anything in my opinion! It gets a 10/10 from me and I can’t wait to keep using it for day-to-day styles.

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The hidden Lancashire beauty spot with falcons and coastal views

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The hidden Lancashire beauty spot with falcons and coastal views

The stunning cliffs that provide an impressive welcome to the crag are a result of the more recent history of the area, from quarrying in the 50s and 60s.

You’ll have most likely driven over the very same limestone, as it was used to make the M6 Preston bypass.

Peregrine falcons nest high on the limestone walls, starting their courtship in spring (Image: Surrey Hills Photography)

Peregrine falcons nest high on the limestone walls, starting their courtship in spring.

Before you’ve even left the car park for the footpaths, you might catch a glimpse of the peregrine falcons that nest high on the limestone walls, starting their courtship in spring and spending the summer feeding their chicks.

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These birds are the fastest animals on earth, reaching more than 186 miles per hour when diving for prey, nearly the speed that F1 cars drive.

Steep, rocky paths will get your heart pumping as you head up through the tree line, and the woods contain a wonderfully rich and diverse collection of species, including the rare Lancaster whitebeam which is only found around Morecambe Bay.

Early purple orchids, violets, bluebells, wood-anemone and kidney-vetch all bring colour to the forest floor alongside a range of rich green ferns.

Once you’re out of the tree line, you can see the glorious coastline of Morecambe Bay.

On a super clear day, you’ve even got a chance of seeing all the way to the Isle of Man, though you probably won’t be able to spot any TT racers.

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Out of the trees and onto the craggy limestone grassland, you’ll often come across some big shaggy cattle.

They graze the scrub and trample some of the plant life down, making sure that the grass doesn’t get too prolific and the limestone-loving plants such as juniper and St John’s wort get their spot in the sun.

Butterflies are the stars of the show at Warton Crag, which is home to rare species of small pearl-bordered fritillary (Image: Tom Marshall)

Ecologically, butterflies are the stars of the show at Warton Crag.

It’s home to nationally important populations of rare species like the pearl-bordered and small pearl-bordered fritillary, whose caterpillars feed on the violets in the woodlands.

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The butterflies can be seen on warm days soaking up the heat from the limestone and flitting around the grasses and wildflowers.

If you are really lucky, you may see two of our native lizards, the snake-like slow worm and common lizard, darting through the grass as they finish basking.

Warton Crag is a beautiful spot, and it’s an excellent place to venture after the cold, wet winter.

Follow the example of the butterflies and reptiles and sit on the limestone, watching the world go by, enjoy a sea of colour in the woods and on the grassland as the earth starts to wake up again, and take a moment to really take in and notice what’s going on.

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There’s more than you think, and it’s sure to bring you a sense of wellbeing.

For more articles like this subscribe to Lancashire Life.

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Does more vitamin D in pregnancy make children smarter?

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Does more vitamin D in pregnancy make children smarter?

Vitamins in pregnancy are usually discussed in terms of a baby’s health at birth. But could the amount of vitamin D taken during pregnancy also influence how a child’s brain works many years later?

A recent Danish study suggests that it might. Children whose mothers received a higher dose of vitamin D during late pregnancy performed slightly better on tests of verbal and visual memory at age ten than children whose mothers received the standard dose.

The findings are intriguing, but they need to be kept in perspective. The differences were small, and the higher dose was not linked to better intelligence, attention, thinking speed, planning or working memory. The researchers also did not examine whether the memory differences affected schoolwork or daily life.

The study followed children whose mothers had taken part in a randomised trial originally designed to determine whether high-dose vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy reduced the risk of persistent wheeze and asthma in offspring. From the 24th week of pregnancy until one week after birth, one group received 2,800 international units (IU), or 70 micrograms, of vitamin D each day. The other received the standard Danish dose of 400 IU, or 10 micrograms.

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Of the 623 children in the original trial, 498 returned for cognitive testing at around ten years old. After accounting for factors that might have influenced the results, the researchers found that children in the higher-dose group performed slightly better at recalling words and objects and remembering where visual patterns had appeared.

They also initially appeared better at switching between different rules or ways of solving a problem. However, that result could no longer be distinguished confidently from chance once the researchers accounted for the number of tests they had carried out.

Why the findings need caution

An important strength of the study is that the mothers were randomly assigned to receive either the higher or standard dose. This makes it less likely that differences in income, diet, health or lifestyle explain the results.

However, the original trial was designed to investigate childhood wheeze and asthma. Cognition was analysed later and was not one of the study’s original outcomes.

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Researchers call this a “post-hoc secondary analysis”. Testing many possible outcomes increases the chance that some apparent differences will arise by coincidence. The two memory findings survived the researchers’ statistical checks, but the improvements were modest and need to be confirmed in trials designed specifically to study cognitive development.

The number of children who returned for testing also needs to be considered. If those who returned differed from those who did not, the findings may be less representative of the original group.

The children were tested only once, at age ten. The research cannot show when the differences appeared, whether they will continue into adolescence or whether a higher dose earlier in pregnancy would have the same effect.

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A child’s vitamin D level after birth is influenced by sunlight, food and supplementation, as well as maternal factors such as breastfeeding, and maternal vitamin D status. The researchers measured blood levels at six months and six years, but two tests cannot show a child’s vitamin D exposure throughout the first decade of life. The study therefore cannot establish precisely when vitamin D might have influenced development. For example, it is unclear whether the effects were caused by vitamin D exposure during pregnancy, after birth, or by vitamin D supplements taken during childhood up to the age of ten.

Most of the mothers did not have low vitamin D levels when the trial began. Only 15% had levels below 20 nanograms per millilitre, although definitions of deficiency vary. The findings tell us more about giving extra vitamin D to women whose levels were already relatively high than about treating a clear deficiency.

The researchers found no convincing evidence that the higher dose worked differently according to the mother’s starting vitamin D level. However, the unplanned analysis, small improvements and study population mean that this study alone is unlikely to justify changing UK guidance.

Around 96% of the children who completed the follow-up were white. This limits how confidently the findings can be applied to more diverse populations or groups at greater risk of low vitamin D.

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This is particularly relevant in the UK because people with darker skin generally produce less vitamin D in response to sunlight. Future trials should include participants from a wider range of ethnic backgrounds and more women with low vitamin D levels.

Should pregnant women take a higher dose?

Current NHS guidance recommends that pregnant women take 10 micrograms, equivalent to 400 IU, of vitamin D each day from early October to late March.

People who spend little time outdoors or usually cover most of their skin should take this amount throughout the year. People with black or brown skin should also consider taking vitamin D all year. A doctor may recommend a different dose when blood tests show a deficiency or there is another medical reason.

The dose used in the Danish trial was seven times the routine NHS recommendation, although it remained below the adult upper limit of 100 micrograms a day. That does not show that the higher dose offers extra benefits or suits every pregnancy.

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Taking too much vitamin D over time can cause calcium to build up in the body, potentially damaging the kidneys and heart. Pregnant women should not increase their dose in the hope of improving their child’s memory without first speaking to a midwife, GP or another healthcare professional. They should also check whether vitamin D is included in more than one of the supplement they are taking.

The study offers tentative evidence that taking more vitamin D during late pregnancy may have a small effect on verbal and visual memory at age ten. Further trials should make cognition a planned outcome, test children at several ages and include a more diverse group of participants.

Until stronger evidence is available, pregnant women should follow current guidance and seek individual medical advice when deficiency is suspected.

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Large field fire near Malton – crews called to scene

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Large field fire near Malton - crews called to scene

Five fire crews were called to the blaze in Duggleby, near Malton, at about 7.50pm on Saturday (August 8).

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire measured around 150m x 100m and was to a stubble and standing crop field.

The field fire in Duggleby, near Malton, on Saturday night (August 8) (Image: North Yorkshire Weather Updates)

Farm machinery was used to cut fire breaks around the blaze.

Crews used hose reel jets and sprayers to extinguish the fire.

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In a statement, the fire service said: “Farm machinery was used to cut fire breaks around the fire and crews used hose reel jets, knapsack sprayers and beaters to extinguish the fire and put a wet line in to prevent re-ignition of the fire.”

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